What’s the buzz?
Blow Bar are one of the more established fast beauty chains, having opened up in 2008 with stores in Wandsworth and Islington in full flow. They’ve now added a bar in French Connection to their collection, with a small yet perky beauty parlour taking up residence
on the shop’s top floor. It overlooks the main store, which is handy for scouting for bargains whilst you’re having your makeover. At Blow Bar Regent Street you can have your hair, make-up and nails done: a menu of looks is available for hairstyles and make-up.
There’s also a menu for loose leaf teas to enjoy during your treatment, all served in vintage teacups.

I started my day with their Triple Tipple - a cocktail of hair, nails and make-up that took around an
hour all-in-all. I wisely went for the straightest, unfussiest hairdo on offer - Straight Talking - , although I could also have quite happily had one of their up-dos. Miffy, my hairdresser, understood how fragile my hair is and recommended an extra protein
shot and strenghtening blow-dry lotion. I was extremely pleased with the result - a reliable, straight, glossy blow-dry that lasted until the evening, if not until the next day. As for the make-up, I chose Blow Bar’s modern take on the smokey eye which involves
pencil under but not on top of the eye. Sounds odd but it looked amazing. “Very London, quite grungey Kate Moss circa 2003,” according to make-up artist Hayley, who uses admirable new Milanese brand Lord & Berry to create her looks. Their Natural lipstick
is particularly yummy. I loved the look. In the studio that night, one of our guests yelled at me in surprise: “You look AMAZING.” High praise indeed, even if I did nearly give him a heart attack.